February 2006
Update, Information & Comments
1. Betty and I had a very productive trip visiting our marines at the Balboa naval Hospital in San Diego, California. Check out this link.
2. Our Price Detachment is in need of a few Regular members in order to maintain their Charter. If any of our non-members receiving this newsletter would like to help the Marines in Price by being one of its members, please be in touch with me at (801) 281-6101. Price Detachment #515 is our senior Detachment here in Utah, and we would like to keep it afloat as long as we have a Department here in Utah. It's amazing what just your membership could do for our Marine Corps League here in Utah. The dues are $25.00 annually, and a quarterly magazine comes with your membership.
3. Recently, I received a phone call from a Marine out in Tooele. He tells me that it's beginning to look a little brighter in forming a Detachment there. If anyone would like to come aboard, and be a charter member, you may call me at the above number.
4. This summer, we will be having a busy time here in Utah. Beside the American Legion holding their National Convention here in Salt Lake city, we too will be hosting a convention. Our Department of Utah will be hosting the Marine Corps League, Rocky Mountain Division Convention here for the first time. The RMD consists of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. This will take place during the weekend of July 21 & 22.
5. Our Department's Convention will take place the 3rd of June, at the Crystal Inn in Murray. Expect updates in each month's newsletter as we progress towards this event. Also a few of our Devil Dogs of the Military Order of Devil Dogs is expected to travel to Jackpot, Nevada for the Department of Idaho's Convention, to receive their next level of degree, so that we can apply for our first Devil Dog Pound here in Utah. This should take place some time during the month of May.
6. At the next lt. Serge B, Simmons Detachment meeting, we will finally have copies of the Detachment By-Laws available for its members.
7. Comment: If we are asked to, "Remember Pearl Harbor," then shouldn't we, "Remember the Bonus March of 1932?"
8. An in depth report will be given of our trip to San Diego, California at the next gatherings. One aspect of the trip will be some of the ideas we came home with while talking with our young Marines. During the next few weeks, a few of us will be trying to find a way to solicit 50 new pillows and blankets for the troops there at the Balboa Naval Hospital. IF any of our readers would like to give a small donation for this endeavor, you may do so, by sending a check to the Lt. Serge B. Simmons Detachment #1159, P.O. Box 9075, Ogden, Utah 84409-9075 and indicate what the check is for. This is what all Marines do best, making things happen for one another. We may be a few generations apart, but together, we shall forever be ... A Band of Brothers. Very few can enjoy that distinction.
9. Announcement: The Rocky Mountain Division Vice Commandant has a need for an Aid-de-Camp for the state of Utah. If any Marine would like to inquire about this position, please be in touch by calling me at (801) 281-6101.
10. A reminder: We will be needing a member to be the Department Adjutant/Paymaster come this June. Any member interested may call our Department Adjutant, Dick Frary at 278-6949 for particulars.
11. Our Marine, John Miles, is still doing well at the South Davis Community Hospital, he tells me that he might be going home around the first of the month. Hopefully by July, he will be able to attend the Rocky Mountain Division Convention.
12. The Cpl. Robert M. Sawaya Detachment Unit #447 is expected to be selling a Marine Denim Tote Bag. So far, orders are coming in very nicely via John Estrada efforts.
13. Headquarters Detachment #1212 asked me to remind everyone not to forget, "To be our Messenger." If someone you know is interested in volunteering, have them call (801) 584-1241 @ the George E. Whalen VA Med Ctr.
14. Semper Fi!
Joseph P.C. Surace
Department Commandant